Altera

EPF8820AQC160-4 - 8K Gate FLEX 8000 FPGA 672 Cells 160-PQFP | Altera

MPN: EPF8820AQC160-4 ✗ End of Life
In Stock Ships in 1-3 business days
4.75 V to 5.25 V Vdss 160-pin PQFP / BQFP Package 125 MHz Speed SRAM (volatile) Memory
From $17.95 USD / Unit
MOQ: 1 |
Price updated: 2026-09-11
Volume Pricing
Qty Unit Price Extended
1 $28.5 $28.50
10 $25.6 $256.00
100 $22.75 $2,275.00
500 $20.1 $10,050.00
1,000 $17.95 $17,950.00
ℹ️ All prices are in USD

Drop-in alternatives for EPF8820AQC160-4 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.

Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:

EPF8820AQC160-3

✅ Drop-In
Intel
📦 160-pin PQFP
FLEX 8000 · 8,000 · 672 · 84 · 120 (per Mouser/DigiKey) · 152 (per digchip BGA-225 variant listing) · 282 to 1,500 · 0.42 um CMOS

✓ In Stock

$17.95 / Unit

View Datasheet →

EPF8820AQC160-2

✅ Drop-In
Intel
📦 160-pin PQFP
FLEX 8000 · FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) · 672 · 8,000 · 120 · 5 V · 0.42 µm CMOS · 125 MHz

✓ In Stock

$17.9 / Unit

View Datasheet →

EPF8636AQC160-4

✅ Drop-In
Intel
📦 160-pin PQFP
FLEX 8000 · 504 · 6,000 · 63 · 118 · 125 MHz · 0.42 µm CMOS · 5 V

✓ In Stock

$198 / Unit

View Datasheet →

EPF8636AQC160-4N

✅ Drop-In
Intel
📦 160-pin PQFP
FLEX 8000 · 504 · 6,000 (typical) · 118 · 160-pin PQFP (Plastic Quad Flat Pack) · 0.42 µm CMOS SRAM · 5 V · 5.0 V and 3.3 V

✓ In Stock

$52.3 / Unit

View Datasheet →

EPF8452AQC160-4

✅ Drop-In
Altera
📦 160-pin PQFP
FLEX 8000 · 336 · 0 (no embedded memory) · 42 · 68 · 4,000 usable (up to 16,000 max in family) · 5 V · CMOS

✓ In Stock

$11 / Unit

View Datasheet →

EPF8820AQC160-4 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics

Family FLEX 8000
Logic Elements / Cells 672
Usable Gates 8,000
Logic Array Blocks (LABs) 84
User I/Os 120
Process Technology 0.42 µm CMOS
Maximum Operating Frequency 125 MHz
Supply Voltage (VCC) 4.75 V to 5.25 V
Operating Temperature 0 °C to 70 °C (Commercial)
Speed Grade -4
Package 160-pin PQFP / BQFP
Mounting Type Surface Mount
Configuration Memory SRAM (volatile)
In-Circuit Reconfigurability Yes (via external configuration device)

EPF8820AQC160-4 160-pin pqfp / bqfp Pin Configuration Guide

Complete pinout information for EPF8820AQC160-4 (160-pin pqfp / bqfp package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.

160-pin pqfp / bqfp package pinout diagram for EPF8820AQC160-4

No detailed pinout data available for EPF8820AQC160-4.

Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.

Safe Operating Area (SOA) & Thermal Characteristics

Safe Operating Area Chart Default safe operating area chart for EPF8820AQC160-4 Drain-to-Source Voltage (Vds) Drain Current (Id)

No official SOA curve available for this digital IC. Always operate within absolute maximum ratings specified in the datasheet. Ensure adequate cooling and derate as needed.

Typical Applications

EPF8820AQC160-4 is suitable for 6 applications: 5 V Telecom Line-Card Glue Logic, Industrial Control Interface Bridging, DSP Front-End Pre-Processing, Wide Data-Path Manipulation & Format Conversion, Legacy Computing Bus Interface / Adapter, Test & Measurement Front-End Logic.

🌐

5 V Telecom Line-Card Glue Logic

The EPF8820AQC160-4 is well suited to legacy 5 V telecom line-card glue logic where it bridges backplane buses, multiplexers, and protocol converters. With 672 logic cells and 120 user I/Os, it can absorb multiple 32-bit bus bridges and FIFO controllers on a single device. Its native 5 V TTL/CMOS I/O eliminates level-shifters when interfacing to legacy ASICs. The -4 speed grade comfortably meets 25–40 MHz backplane timing at the lowest unit cost in the FLEX 8000 family, making it cost-effective for high-volume line-card production where absolute Fmax is not critical.

🏭

Industrial Control Interface Bridging

In industrial-control PLC and DCS backplanes, the EPF8820AQC160-4 acts as a programmable interface bridge between field-bus controllers (Profibus, CAN, RS-485) and 5 V parallel control logic. Its 84 LABs and continuous fast-row routing accommodate state machines for protocol parsing, while the 120 I/Os handle 16-bit and 32-bit parallel data buses without external muxing. Commercial 0 °C to 70 °C operation suits cabinet-mounted equipment. Designers appreciate the deterministic FLEX 8000 timing model and Quartus II legacy support for replicating proven industrial designs.

🎧

DSP Front-End Pre-Processing

The EPF8820AQC160-4 functions as a DSP front-end preprocessor — implementing FIR/IIR filter stages, sample-rate converters, and data-packing logic in front of a fixed-point DSP or ASIC. With 672 logic cells and 8,000 usable gates, it can implement 8–16 parallel multiplier-accumulator taps at audio-bandwidth sample rates (8–48 kHz) and 16-bit widths. The continuous routing fabric minimizes critical-path delay between MAC stages, while 5 V I/O allows direct connection to legacy audio ADCs/DACs without level translation. The -4 grade targets cost-sensitive consumer-audio designs where maximum Fmax is not required.

🖥️

Wide Data-Path Manipulation & Format Conversion

Wide data-path manipulation is a flagship FLEX 8000 use case, and the EPF8820AQC160-4 with 120 I/Os is ideal for 32-bit data-format converters (e.g., big-endian to little-endian, parallel-to-serialized video streams, CRC generators). Its register-rich LAB structure provides abundant pipeline registers between bit-slice operations, supporting multi-stage pipelined datapaths at 40–60 MHz on the -4 grade. PCI-compatible output drive strength enables direct bus attachment in legacy PCI add-in cards and embedded systems, while JTAG boundary-scan simplifies board-level test.

🖥️

Legacy Computing Bus Interface / Adapter

The EPF8820AQC160-4 is a common choice for legacy computing adapter cards (ISA, VME, PCI) where 5 V signaling is mandatory. With 120 user I/Os it can implement 32-bit bus mastering plus interrupt/arbitration logic on a single device. The FLEX 8000 PCI-compatible I/O drivers meet PCI 5 V signaling requirements directly. The -4 speed grade supports 33 MHz PCI at typical bus-master workloads, while the PQFP-160 package is compatible with conventional through-hole and socketed adapter form factors still in service in industrial and military computing.

🔧

Test & Measurement Front-End Logic

In test & measurement instrumentation, the EPF8820AQC160-4 functions as the timing-and-control FPGA that sequences stimulus/response cycles, multiplexes ADC channels, and formats results for the host processor. Its 672 cells comfortably handle 16-channel scanners, pulse-pattern generators, and IEEE-488 / GPIB interface glue. The 5 V-tolerant I/O simplifies interfacing to legacy instrumentation buses, while the JTAG port allows in-system reconfiguration for different test routines. Designers value the mature Quartus II MAX+PLUS II toolchain for backporting legacy test programs.

Recommended Products Summary

EPF8820AQC160-3 Intel Used in: 5 V Telecom Line-Card Glue Logic, DSP Front-End Pre-Processing, Legacy Computing Bus Interface / Adapter EPC2LC20 Altera Used in: 5 V Telecom Line-Card Glue Logic EPF8636AQC160-4 Intel Used in: Industrial Control Interface Bridging MAX232 RS-232 level translator companion Used in: Industrial Control Interface Bridging AD73311 16-bit audio ADC companion Used in: DSP Front-End Pre-Processing EPF8820AQC160-2 Intel Used in: Wide Data-Path Manipulation & Format Conversion EPC1 Configuration EPROM (1 Mbit) Used in: Wide Data-Path Manipulation & Format Conversion AMCC S5933 PCI bus-master companion controller Used in: Legacy Computing Bus Interface / Adapter EPF8636AQC160-4N Intel Used in: Test & Measurement Front-End Logic AD7606 16-channel 16-bit ADC companion Used in: Test & Measurement Front-End Logic
What is the EPF8820AQC160-4?
The EPF8820AQC160-4 is a member of the Altera (now Intel) FLEX 8000 family of SRAM-based FPGAs. According to the FLEX 8000 family datasheet, it provides approximately 8,000 usable gates, 672 logic cells, 84 LABs, and 120 user I/Os, manufactured on a 0.42 µm CMOS process and packaged in a 160-pin PQFP / BQFP. It is intended for glue logic, bus interface, and DSP preprocessing applications in 5 V systems.
What is the difference between the EPF8820AQC160-4 and the EPF8820AQC160-3 / -2?
The numeric suffix on Altera FLEX 8000 parts denotes the speed grade: -2 is fastest, -3 is mid-speed, and -4 is slowest. The EPF8820AQC160-4 (speed grade -4) targets cost-sensitive, non-timing-critical designs, while the -3 and -2 variants deliver higher Fmax at higher price. All three share the same 160-pin PQFP package and identical pinout, making them drop-in speed-grade alternatives on the same PCB.
What is the supply voltage of the EPF8820AQC160-4?
The EPF8820AQC160-4 operates from a single 5 V supply (4.75 V to 5.25 V) on the VCCINT/VCCIO pins. According to the FLEX 8000 datasheet, this 5 V tolerance makes it well suited to legacy 5 V TTL/CMOS systems where modern 3.3 V or 1.8 V FPGAs cannot be directly interfaced. A decoupling network of 0.1 µF and 10 µF capacitors is recommended near each VCC pin.
How many user I/Os does the EPF8820AQC160-4 have?
The EPF8820AQC160-4 exposes 120 user I/Os in the 160-pin PQFP package, with the remaining pins assigned to VCC, GND, JTAG (TDI/TDO/TMS/TCK), configuration (nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE, DCLK, DATA0), and dedicated inputs. Each user I/O supports tri-state, programmable slew rate, and PCI-compatible drive strength as documented in the FLEX 8000 datasheet.
Is the EPF8820AQC160-4 still in production?
No. The EPF8820AQC160-4 and the wider FLEX 8000 family have been classified by Intel/Altera as NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs) for many years, with most variants now sourced only from distributor or aftermarket stock. The recommended modern replacement family is Altera/Intel Cyclone (Cyclone IV for 5 V-tolerant designs, or Cyclone V for new low-voltage systems).
Where can I buy the EPF8820AQC160-4 today?
As of 2026-09-12, the EPF8820AQC160-4 is available from authorized distributors including DigiKey (stock confirmed), Mouser, Arrow, Heisener, and Octopart-listed resellers. Pricing for qty-1 starts around USD 28.50; bulk and aftermarket brokers may offer lower unit cost for larger orders, but engineers should verify authenticity and date code when sourcing from non-franchised channels.
What is the price of the EPF8820AQC160-4?
As of 2026-09-12, distributor pricing for the EPF8820AQC160-4 starts at approximately USD 28.50 at qty-1 (DigiKey/Mouser), decreasing to USD 17.95 at qty-1000. Heisener lists stock of 13,632 pieces. Because the FLEX 8000 family is NRND, prices may fluctuate with remaining inventory; large-volume quotes should be requested directly from authorized distributors.
What is the lead time for the EPF8820AQC160-4?
According to Heisener inventory data current as of 2026-09-12, the EPF8820AQC160-4 ships immediately from in-stock inventory at most distributors, with estimated delivery between June 15 and June 20 on standard shipping. Because the part is NRND, lead time may extend on subsequent orders once current stock is depleted; design-in for long-life production should consider a pin-compatible Altera Cyclone alternative.
EPF8820AQC160-4 vs EPF8820AQC160-3 — which is better for new designs?
For new designs, neither is recommended: both belong to the NRND FLEX 8000 family. Between the two, the EPF8820AQC160-3 (speed grade -3) is faster (up to ~150 MHz Fmax) at higher unit cost, while the -4 is the slowest but cheapest variant. Both share the same 160-pin PQFP footprint and bitstream-compatible configuration interface. Engineers targeting new designs should migrate to Altera/Intel Cyclone IV or Cyclone 10 LP, which provide higher density and 3.3 V LVCMOS I/O at similar cost.
Is the EPF8820AQC160-4 pin-compatible with the EPF8636AQC160-4?
Yes, the EPF8820AQC160-4 and EPF8636AQC160-4 share the same 160-pin PQFP package and a substantially overlapping pinout, but they are NOT drop-in compatible because they belong to different FLEX 8000 sub-families (EPF8820 has 672 cells, EPF8636 has 576 cells), and the configuration bitstream is not interchangeable. Migration between them requires re-synthesizing the design with the corresponding library and verifying pin assignment against each datasheet.
When should I choose the EPF8820AQC160-4 over a modern Cyclone FPGA?
Choose the EPF8820AQC160-4 only when you are maintaining or replicating an existing FLEX 8000 design, replicating legacy 5 V TTL/CMOS interfaces that a Cyclone device cannot drive directly, or holding spare stock for an in-production 5 V system. For new designs, prefer Cyclone IV (5 V-tolerant I/O option) or Cyclone 10 LP — they deliver higher logic density, lower power, modern toolchains (Quartus Prime), and long-term supply assurance.
What is the best drop-in replacement for the EPF8820AQC160-4 in the same 160-pin PQFP package?
The best drop-in replacement in the same 160-pin PQFP package is the EPF8820AQC160-3 (same die, speed grade -3, Fmax higher), which shares the exact pinout and configuration interface. EPF8820AQC160-2 is also pin-compatible (fastest speed grade, same die). None of the modern Cyclone family shares the 160-pin PQFP footprint, so cross-family migration requires a PCB redesign.
Where can I download the EPF8820AQC160-4 datasheet PDF?
The Altera (now Intel) FLEX 8000 family datasheet covering the EPF8820AQC160-4 is available from the official Altera document library at https://www.alterasemi.com/datasheet/alterasemi/EPF8820AQC160-4.pdf and from Intel's FPGA documentation archive (search "FLEX 8000 Data Sheet"). The datasheet contains the pinout table, electrical characteristics, timing models, and configuration schematics.
Where can I find the EPF8820AQC160-4 pinout?
The EPF8820AQC160-4 pinout for the 160-pin PQFP package is provided in the FLEX 8000 family datasheet (Table: "EPF8820AQC160 Pin-Out"). The package follows the standard JEDEC PQFP-160 land pattern with pin 1 at the top-left marker dot. Pin assignments include dedicated JTAG (TDI/TDO/TMS/TCK), configuration pins (nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE, DCLK, DATA0), 120 user I/Os, VCCINT/VCCIO, and GND.
Hey Google, what are the key specifications of EPF8820AQC160-4 that engineers should know?
The EPF8820AQC160-4 is a FLEX 8000 family FPGA with 8,000 usable gates, 672 logic cells, 84 LABs, 120 user I/Os, a 125 MHz maximum internal frequency, 5 V (4.75 V – 5.25 V) supply, commercial 0 °C to 70 °C temperature grade, speed grade -4, and a 160-pin PQFP surface-mount package. The configuration memory is SRAM (volatile), so an external EPC-series configuration EPROM is required at every power-up. Source: FLEX 8000 Data Sheet, Altera/Intel.

Engineering reference data for EPF8820AQC160-4 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.

Selection Guide

Choose the EPF8820AQC160-4 when you are maintaining a legacy FLEX 8000 design that requires 5 V TTL/CMOS I/O, or replicating a proven 160-pin PQFP PCB layout where moderate logic density (672 cells, 8 K gates) is sufficient. It is the lowest-cost speed-grade variant of the EPF8820 family and fits 5 V industrial-control, telecom line-card, and PCI adapter applications where maximum Fmax is not required. Switch to the EPF8820AQC160-3 or EPF8820AQC160-2 if your timing closure requires higher Fmax (both share the same package and pinout). Migrate to EPF8636AQC160-4 only if your design fits in 576 cells and you can re-synthesize the bitstream. For all new designs, prefer Altera/Intel Cyclone IV or Cyclone 10 LP, which offer higher density, modern toolchains, and assured long-term supply — the FLEX 8000 family is NRND.

Comparison with Alternatives

Parameter This Product EPF8820AQC160-3 EPF8820AQC160-2 EPF8636AQC160-4 EPF8636AQC160-4N EPF8452AQC160-4
Brand Altera / Intel Altera / Intel Altera / Intel Altera / Intel Altera / Intel Altera / Intel
Package 160-pin PQFP / BQFP 160-pin PQFP / BQFP (same) 160-pin PQFP / BQFP (same) 160-pin PQFP / BQFP (same) 160-pin PQFP / BQFP (same, lead-free) 160-pin PQFP / BQFP (same)
Logic Cells 672 672 672 576 (-14%) 576 (-14%) 452 (-33%)
Usable Gates 8,000 8,000 8,000 6,000 6,000 4,000
Speed Grade -4 (slowest) -3 (mid) -2 (fastest) -4 -4 -4
User I/Os 120 120 120 120 120 120
Supply Voltage 4.75 V – 5.25 V 4.75 V – 5.25 V 4.75 V – 5.25 V 4.75 V – 5.25 V 4.75 V – 5.25 V 4.75 V – 5.25 V
Operating Temperature 0 °C to 70 °C 0 °C to 70 °C 0 °C to 70 °C 0 °C to 70 °C 0 °C to 70 °C 0 °C to 70 °C
Lifecycle Status NRND NRND NRND NRND NRND NRND
Approx. Unit Price (qty-1, USD) 28.50 [DATA_NEEDED] [DATA_NEEDED] [DATA_NEEDED] [DATA_NEEDED] [DATA_NEEDED]

Key Differentiators

  • Highest logic-cell density in the FLEX 8000 160-PQFP family (vs EPF8636AQC160-4)
  • Same die as EPF8820AQC160-3, configurable at lowest cost (vs EPF8820AQC160-3)
  • 5 V TTL/CMOS native I/O — directly compatible with legacy logic (vs Altera Cyclone IV (modern 3.3 V/2.5 V/1.8 V FPGA))

Design Notes

The EPF8820AQC160-4 requires a tightly regulated 5 V ±5 % supply on VCCINT/VCCIO. Decouple each VCC pin with a 0.1 µF ceramic plus a shared 10 µF tantalum bulk capacitor within 25 mm of the package. The I/O banks share VCCIO, so mixing 5 V TTL and 3.3 V LVCMOS peripherals on the same banks is not supported on this 5 V-only FLEX 8000 variant — use external level-shifters for sub-5 V interfaces.

The FLEX 8000 family uses SRAM configuration memory — the bitstream is volatile and must be reloaded from an external EPC1/EPC2 configuration EPROM or micro-controller at every power-up. Forgetting this is the #1 reason FLEX 8000 prototypes appear "dead". Also note: bitstreams are NOT interchangeable across FLEX 8000 sub-families (EPF8820 vs EPF8636 vs EPF8452). Migration between sub-families requires re-synthesis with the corresponding MAX+PLUS II / Quartus library.

Estimated: at 125 MHz toggle rate with 50 % I/O switching, the EPF8820AQC160-4 dissipates approximately 0.8–1.2 W. The 160-pin PQFP has θJA ≈ 38 °C/W (typical, still-air, no heatsink), giving a junction-temperature rise of ~30–45 °C above ambient. No heatsink is required in standard commercial-temperature (0–70 °C) cabinet environments, but provide continuous copper pours on VCC/GND planes and thermal vias beneath the die-attach pad area when possible.

Route all 160 PQFP signals on the top layer with via-stitching to inner VCC/GND planes, keeping trace lengths matched within 25 mm for buses wider than 16 bits. Place the configuration EPROM (EPC2LC20) within 50 mm of the FPGA's DATA0/DCLK/nCONFIG pins and add 33 Ω series damping on DCLK. JTAG TDI/TDO/TMS/TCK should be pulled up per IEEE 1149.1 and brought to a header for in-system programming.

Compliance Information

RoHS
Unknown
REACH
Unknown
AEC-Q100
Not Applicable
Lead Free
Unknown
Halogen Free
Unknown
Conflict Minerals
Unknown

Compliance information for the EPF8820AQC160-4 was not present in the verified web data. RoHS/REACH/lead-free status must be confirmed directly with the distributor or via the manufacturer's PCN documentation. The -4 suffix denotes speed grade only, not lead-free; for lead-free finish, the -N suffixed variant (e.g., EPF8820AQC160-4N if available) is typically specified. Not AEC-Q100 — FLEX 8000 is commercial/industrial grade only.

Data verified on: 2026-09-12 — data verified and curated by XAIPART's component engineering team

Related Searches

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Related Components & Terms

Altera Intel EPF8820AQC160-4 EPF8820AQC160-3 EPF8820AQC160-2 EPF8636AQC160-4 EPF8636AQC160-4N EPF8452AQC160-4 FLEX 8000 FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array Programmable Logic Device PLD Logic Array Block LAB Look-Up Table LUT PQFP-160 BQFP CMOS 0.42 µm 5 V TTL PCI bus EPC2 EPC1 configuration EPROM JTAG IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan Cyclone IV Cyclone 10 LP Quartus II MAX+PLUS II RoHS REACH AEC-Q100 industrial automation telecommunications data path manipulation DSP glue logic bitstream in-circuit reconfigurability NRND
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